Ticats' Bruce won't play against Riders

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The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will attempt to get off the schneid without the services of their marquee receiver.

Arland Bruce, the often times volatile, but just as often electrifying receiver, was put on the one-game injured list by the Ticats Friday in advance of Saturday's game with Saskatchewan at Ivory Wynne Stadium.

Both the Ticats and Roughriders are 0-2 and looking for their first win of the season.

Bruce said he was injured last weekend in a loss to Edmonton but "until the adrenalin" died off he wasn't feeling any discomfort.

But the pain returned by the third quarter to the point where he was unable to practise Tuesday or Wednesday.

Bruce did return to practice on Thursday and said he wasn't feeling any pain or discomfort. But head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said he wanted to consult with team doctors and therapists before giving the receiver the green light.

Bruce has not been his normally productive self so far this season without a touchdown to his name and just five receptions for 48 yards in the first two games.

In a post-game TV interview after the loss in Edmonton, Bruce suggested he wasn't getting enough balls thrown his way, but by mid-week he was saying that was just the competitor in him coming out.

"If I was on the basketball court I would feel the same way," Bruce said. "Give me the ball and let me get my rhythm. Any pro athlete feels like they have to get some kind of rhythm going to actually be in the game whether it's QB or the offensive lineman or linebacker or cornerback. They need that first hit to say 'OK, now I feel it. Let me wake up now.'"

Bruce downplayed his undisclosed injury.

"I'm not coming off an injury," Bruce said. "It's just a little bruise, a little banged up. No one is 100% right now. It's just something they want to be careful with, something they want to be cautious with and take care of their marquee player and I feel like I'm a marquee player."